One Manchester United man labelled ‘superb’ after first-half display vs Fulham

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Andre Onana’s heroics bailed out Manchester United during the first-half of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham as Erik ten Hag’s side wer ‘exceptionally fortunate’ not to go behind. 

Fulham tend to give Manchester United a bit of a scare.

The opening 45 minutes at Old Trafford, however, were less spine-tingling and titillating, and more like a never-ending horror movie the home support just could not escape. Only Andre Onana’s brilliance between the sticks preventing the blood shed. 

Much-maligned in some quarters since his £47 million move to Manchester from Inter Milan last summer, Onana’s performances have improved markedly of late.

Certainly, when it comes to pure ‘shot-stopping’. 

Andre Onana saves Manchester United vs Fulham

Ten Hag needed the former Ajax glovesman to channel his inner-David de Gea circa 2016 against Liverpool and Aston Villa, with Onana again coming to the rescue as a dominant Fulham racked up chance after chance before referee Michael Oliver mercifully blew for half-time. 

“Another superb save from Andre Onana. Manchester United are exceptionally fortunate not to be behind,” was the assesment of BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone, praising the Cameroon international after another fine stop late in the opening stanza.

“Fulham have had more purpose and been more effective in their attacking play.

“If Sir Jim Ratcliffe had any doubts about how far his club are away from the levels they need to be, this game is a stark reminder.” 

Ratcliffe understands the size of the task

Ratcliffe, confirmed as Man United’s new co-owner and chief decision-maker this week, made no secret of the fact that the Red Devils have fallen a long way behind their rivals at the top of the Premier League.

Even during an impressive run of successive wins, United have been less-than convincing. Aston Villa and even Luton Town could and perhaps should have had a point or even more to show for their efforts in recent weeks, Onana excelling against the former in particular.